Introduction

Today, the fashion world is almost unrecognizable to decades prior. We are grappling with how to be part of the solution, moving towards an industry that values and respects our planet and communities.

Editors, writers, designers, artists, innovators and educators need a shared understanding of the key issues, and a common language to tackle them. They need an open platform for candid and informed conversations.

The dialogue begins here.

Condé Nast has partnered with Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF) to create The Sustainable Fashion Glossary, a compendium of terms, a reference tool to help usher in a new era of understanding of fashion, based on a respect for and valuing of the earth and all who live within it. The Sustainable Fashion Glossary is part of Conde Nast’s long-standing commitment to create change in the world of fashion, design and style; and combines Condé Nast’s unique perspective on the sector with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion’s (CSF), academic leadership in fashion design for sustainability.

We aim to update the Sustainable Fashion Glossary on an annual basis to reflect innovations and the evolving environmental, social, cultural and economic debate and new discoveries and practices within it. It will be used by our own editorial teams, and we aim for it to inform and inspire a new vanguard of creatives who will define tomorrow's zeitgeist and form a community of positive change-makers.

How to use the Sustainable Fashion Glossary

The Sustainable Fashion Glossary can strengthen and develop sustainability literacy in fashion media by providing guidance on the most pertinent terms surrounding sustainability in fashion: its cultures, materials, production, buying habits and care practices. The Glossary sets out a common language with consistent definitions of key fashion and sustainability concepts, supported by fact-based explanations and references to provide further clarity. This work draws upon a series of guiding principles and frameworks that underpin CSF’s work. It is a crystallization of its research and educational practices, bringing academic rigor and accuracy to its contents.

The Glossary terms have been classified into several categories to support navigation of these often nuanced and complex navigation of these terms and topics. Each category includes an introductory summary that provides an overview of the topic, followed by an extended list of terms arranged in an A-Z order for ease of access.

The work of Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF), London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, London, is based on a series of guiding principles and frameworks – a crystallization of the Centre’s research, educational and knowledge exchange practices. The Glossary draws from three core CSF systems: the CSF Framework for Sustainability, the Design Life Cycle, and the Pedagogic Principles(1-3).

The Glossary was developed through collaboration between industry and academia and includes input from Condé Nast, including Vogue’s global editors-in-chief, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, and a global network of academic researchers to bring local perspectives. Students from the London College of Fashion and Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design have provided feedback and a next-gen point of view. The Glossary methodology followed a process that included an extensive landscape review, the creation of an information hierarchy, term and concept drafting; and prototype testing by editors, students and researchers.

The Glossary is a living document. The terms included in this iteration are not exhaustive, and terms will continue to be added on an annual basis.

Acknowledgements

The Sustainable Fashion Glossary would not have been possible without the dedication of:

Professor Dilys Williams, Director and Professor of Fashion Design for Sustainability, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London

Dr. Mila Burcikova, Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London

Sarah Needham, Knowledge Exchange Manager, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London

Monica Buchan-Ng, Knowledge Exchange Project Coordinator, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London

Vogue editors-in-chief and their editorial teams

A global network of academic researchers

Students of the MA Fashion Media, MA Fashion Communications and MA Entrepreneurship, Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design, and students of the BA Fashion Journalism students, London College of Fashion